Generator Help - need to buy in next week...
So - we aren't too savvy with understanding how to measure what kind of generator power we need to get when we buy one within the next week. We know it will be an investment. Here are the details:...
Forum Discussion
I camp above 8000 ft and can tell you that a generator can loose quite a bit of power up there. A 2800 watt generator of any type will run your air up to around 8-8500 ft, at 10,000 ft I use a Champion 3500/4000 and even then it helps to keep the converter off.
Depending on temperature you can take as much as 4% out of the rated watts per 1000 ft of elevation. A 2000w (1600 watt running)inverter generator where I camp drops 640 watts on a hot day. It wouldn't stand a chance of running our 900 watt microwave that pulls 1375w. At 8000 feet it would loose 512 watts and still wouldn't so it.
As mentioned running generators at night in campgrounds is a no no so lets talk about your current situation. How is your battery being charged before you go? You really need to make sure you are starting off on the right foot with a well charged battery. I take our batteries out of the trailer and use stand alone chargers at home. As soon as we get home I recharge the batteries, then again once a month when not in use and I charge them for 3 days before we leave again.
How old is your battery and what size is it?
What are your other loads? One thing to consider is cutting back the use without sacrificing like with inexpensive LED replacements for the incandescent bulbs. There also insulated covers for the bunk ends that will help keep your furnace from running so much.
Depending on temperature you can take as much as 4% out of the rated watts per 1000 ft of elevation. A 2000w (1600 watt running)inverter generator where I camp drops 640 watts on a hot day. It wouldn't stand a chance of running our 900 watt microwave that pulls 1375w. At 8000 feet it would loose 512 watts and still wouldn't so it.
As mentioned running generators at night in campgrounds is a no no so lets talk about your current situation. How is your battery being charged before you go? You really need to make sure you are starting off on the right foot with a well charged battery. I take our batteries out of the trailer and use stand alone chargers at home. As soon as we get home I recharge the batteries, then again once a month when not in use and I charge them for 3 days before we leave again.
How old is your battery and what size is it?
What are your other loads? One thing to consider is cutting back the use without sacrificing like with inexpensive LED replacements for the incandescent bulbs. There also insulated covers for the bunk ends that will help keep your furnace from running so much.
